June 12, 2009
New Judicial Education CLE Requirements
Judges who must report their continuing legal education (CLE) hours by Jan. 31, 2011 for the preceding two-year period will be the first group affected by enhanced judicial education requirements that went into effect May 1.
Ohio judges and attorneys are split in two groups according to the alphabetical listing of their last name for CLE reporting purposes, with one group required to report on or before Jan. 31 of every even-numbered year for the preceding two calendar years and the other group required to report on or before Jan. 31 of every odd-numbered year for the preceding two calendar years.
For the first time, judges will be required to complete a specific number of instructional hours related to access to justice and fairness in the courts from the Judicial College. The two hours of education are intended to address matters of self-represented litigants, pro bono representation, foreign language interpretation, race, ethnicity, gender, disability, and sexual orientation, and how they impact the public’s trust and confidence in the judicial system and perception of the administration of justice in Ohio’s courts.
Full-time judges, part-time judges, and retired judges eligible for assignment must complete and report a minimum of 40 hours of instruction every two years on subjects devoted to the law and judicial administration. Previously, part-time judges and retired judges were required to earn only 24 hours of instruction every two years.
In addition, judges must complete two of the 40 hours of education in ethics and professionalism. Under the new rule, judges can choose substance abuse education as an option to fulfill all or part of their ethics and professionalism education requirement. Previously, judges were required to take a minimum half-hour course on substance abuse alone.
Milt Nuzum, Judicial College director, said planning meetings for the 2010 curriculum will begin at the end of July. “There will be ample opportunities in 2010 for judges to take course work to meet these new requirements,” he said. At least 10 of the 40 hours must be completed through courses offered by the Judicial College.
The Office of Attorney Services will mail reminders about the rule change and its impact on CLE reporting to all affected judges, including retired and part-time judges, later this summer.
Click here to access changes to Rule IV of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Judiciary of Ohio.
Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.9250.